- Learn about the best rackmount reverbs available today
- Enrich your productions with luscious and beautiful reverbs
- Also, check out our guide to the best boutique reverb pedals on the planet.
Are you looking to add beautiful soundscapes to your mix or build depth in your guitar tone? Have you tried to find the right reverb sound but just can’t find that perfect one?
If that sounds like you, then you’re in luck! We have compiled a list of the best rackmount reverb units to elevate your studio space to the next level!
What are the Best Rackmounts Reverbs?
The Lexicon PCM96 picks up right where the trailblazing MX200 left off with more of the classic Lexicon sound while adding a few more sounds to its repertoire. The Virtualizer 3D FX200 is no slouch in its own right and is the economical option for a studio owner just starting to build a rack set up or adding a great sound to any gear list.
- Lexicon PCM96 (Our Pick)
- Behringer Virtualizer 3D FX2000 (Best Value)
- Lexicon MX200
- Eventide Reverb 2016
- Yamaha SPX2000
1. Lexicon PCM96
With the PCM96, Lexicon offers up a reverb that brings their innovations from the past and situates them squarely in the digital studio revolution.
- Extensive suite of new and vintage Lexicon reverb
- Many other effects
- A titan with a price tag to match
Overview
Lexicon is the industry standard in reverb creation in the music industry and the PCM96 does not disappoint with its name badge.
This effects processor offers an extensive suite of new and vintage Lexicon reverbs along with multiple delays and modulation effects at your disposal.
What you don’t want is just a clone of a vintage masterpiece that can rabbit hole a company, but in this case, it adds to the reputation and creates a lasting effects processor all on its own.
Pairing the vintage sounds with the creation of a whole host of new ones makes for a superb machine.
Not only does it have MIDI ports, In/Out/thru, but also has Ethernet connectivity to provide pure integration and automation with your host DAW.
Features
- Balanced 24-bit XLR inputs/outputs
- AES Digital I/O
- +4db and -10db selectable pads
- 32-bit floating-point processing
- Multiple sample rates: 44.1, 48, 88.2, and 96 kHz
- External BNC Wordclock input
- HiQnet compatible
- Compact Flash preset storage
- 28 legendary Lexicon reverbs, delays, and many other effects
Review
Owners of this brilliant piece of gear tout the build quality as well as the sonic palette that it holds, skyrocketing this effects processor into a league of its own and creating a new era for Lexicon and ushering in a rival in the reverb unit space.
They started by creating the platform for what reverbs should sound like and have followed it up with a piece of gear that stands toe to toe with the best of them and leaves a wake that not many can come close to climbing out of.
Lexicon reverbs are iconic in the industry and this new sibling does not shy away from the task of living up to the family name.
With the original sounds, plus the additional algorithms, compatibility with studio infrastructure, and great UI, the PCM96 is a titan with a price tag to match.
Listing at just under $3,500, if you are building a studio and budget is not an issue, the PCM96 is the effects processor for your studio.
Should you EQ before or after reverb? Here’s all you need to know!
2. Behringer Virtualizer 3D FX2000
The Behringer Virtualizer 3D FX2000 gives you the tools you need to knock the audience's socks off.
- Ridiculously cheap for its quality
- Real Sound Modeling stereo and 3D effects
- Clean reverb sound
Overview
The Behringer Virtualizer 3D FX2000 Effects Processor is one of the best “bang for your buck” units on the market and can match sonically with the most pricey of gear.
It has a wide range of algorithms for reverbs, and dynamics, while also holding great delays and modulation effects. It includes Behringers’ Real Sound Modeling stereo and 3D effects for creating spatial palettes most units cannot compete with.
Also, the Virtualizer has MIDI In/Out and, the sought after, MIDI thru port for connectivity to just about any hardware gear you may have and seamless integration into your existing studio setup.
Features
- Balanced TRS and XLR inputs/outputs
- Over 70 effect algorithms
- Real Sound Modeling and 3D effects
- MIDI Implementation
- 200+ presets/user uploaded presets
- 24-bit AD/DA conversion and 64/128-time oversample rates for pure sounds
Review
Many owners of this effects processor have mentioned the quality and solidness of the build, despite some of Behringers’ past products or reputation.
The overall reception has been one of surprisingly high quality and great sound.
Whether you are looking for your first rackmount effects processor or building on your gear list, the Virtualizer 3D is a great addition to any studio looking for great, clean reverb sound without having to feel like you have to take out a second mortgage to do so.
With a price point under $200, it is surely giving the other units on this list a run for their money.
3. Lexicon MX200
Designed with both live sound reinforcement and home recording in mind, MX200 features the deep, rich reverb and effects algorithms that built the Lexicon legend.
- A legendary piece of studio gear
- 99 presets
- As versatile as it is usable
Overview
The Lexicon MX200 is a standard effects processor for any professional recording studio and has created the backbone for what reverbs should sound like since its release in the early 2000s.
Not only has it shaped the Lexicon sound but it has also paved the way for how effects processors are developed for the decades to come.
With its flexible routing configurations and VST functionality, the MX200 was ahead of its time and created compatibility with the coming era of digital and “in-the-box” recording.
It carries close to 100 presets – – from large and small reverbs, to various types of modulation effects, delays, and even dynamics, it is as versatile as it is usable.
Features
- Two simultaneous effects with multiple routing options; Mono-Parallel, Mono Sum to Stereo, Stereo Parallel, or Stereo Serial
- VST functionality for effortless DAW compatibility
- 99 presets and 99 programmable user presets
- Intuitive front panel for on the fly effects
Review
The quality of the sounds on board and the intuitiveness of the panel and UI are on the top of the list when speaking to seasoned vets of the Lexicon MX200 and should not be underestimated in the world of studios today.
It is clearly in a league of its own and should be treated in high regard.
While this effects processor is not being sold or manufactured new by Lexicon, there is still a vast amount on the used marketplace for a steal.
The MX200 deserves a place in every studio and should be considered a vintage piece of gear. It will be cemented on the Mount Rushmore of rackmount gear alongside the likes of the 1176 and LA2A compressors.
4. Eventide Reverb 2016
Want to capture an elusive classic reverb that's been used on countless hit records? Well, get the Eventide SP2016 Reverb plug-in, and you will.
- Based on a classic hardware device
- Features six distinct reverbs
- Easy to use
Overview
Unlike the PCM96, the Eventide Reverb 2016 is a near-exact recreation of a heavy hitter from long-standing manufacturer
Eventide recreated their classic reverb sound and placed it inside an effects processor with an updated front-panel and UI experience.
But, this is not just a recreation of a classic and stick on a nameplate job, Eventide went and threw in a little extra.
They have updated it to work in the modern recording studio with analog and digital I/O as well as a MIDI interfacing. This allows it to play nice with most hardware gear and fit into any hardware studio.
Features
- 24 bit DSP, 24 bit analog I/O
- Digital I/O and MIDI interface
- Enhanced Classic
Eventide reverb algorithm - Up to 99 storable user presets
Review
While the users talk mostly about the tasteful and natural sound of its reverb, the overall majority are happiest with its one knob per function interface.
This makes dialing in the perfect sound an effortless duty and exceptionally easy. Unfortunately, it is not a perfect unit, as it is not a multi-effects processor.
It strictly lives in the Reverb space and does not stray away from it. This means you will not have access to the modulation, delays, or dynamics effects that the others on this list will have.
The Eventide reverb algorithm has a great, airy sound to it which has been tried and tested since the ’80s.
This new unit lives up to that name and adds to it with digital functionality and quick, easy user interfacing.
Even though it is strictly a reverb unit, we thought it was well deserving of being on the Best list and should be a great addition to any studio in this modern era.
You will have to go on the second-hand marketplace for this unit also, as it is not being manufactured any longer, and it holds quite a hefty price tag. It is well worth this if you are looking for a lush reverb to add to any vocal or guitar track.
Looking for a great sounding reverb plugin? Try Baby Audio’s Crystalline!
5. Yamaha SPX2000
The SPX2000, while inheriting the standard interface and popular programs from its predecessors, brings a new dimension to the SPX sound
- Legendary Yamaha build quality
- Easy to use
- Advanced REV-X reverb algorithms
Overview
We cannot discuss studio equipment without talking about Yamaha, which has been a standard in the recording industry for decades.
This iteration of their classic SPX line the Yamaha SPX2000 is no different, including classic reverb sounds of the past while also updating and adding a few new additions.
REV-X is their new reverb algorithm which touts its richest reverb tone to date and has an updated decay that adds whole new levels to your mix.
It comes in the hall, room, and plate varieties and is fully customizable. With space for savable presets and an onboard 96kHz DSP chip to handle the workload, it is guaranteed to fit into your studio hassle-free.
Features
- 96kHz, 32-bit internal processing
- REV-X reverb algorithm
- Mic/Line level Inputs and Outputs
- MIDI In and Out connection
- Wordclock and AES/EBU connections
- SPX2000 Editor for computer integration
Review
Most reviews from engineers and users of the SPX2000 talk about how easy to use the front panel interface is and mention the legendary Yamaha build quality and product design.
Its ease of use extends to the back panel as well, creating a very understandable output panel with a variety of options for every use you may have from an effects processor.
The REV-X algorithm is a nice, tasteful addition to the presets from past iterations of the SPX effects processor lineage. Listed for around $800 on the used market, it comes with a mid-range price tag and may not fit into every budget.
For those studio owners who are into Yamaha sounds and algorithms, this is the piece of gear for you and will fit nicely into any modern recording studio setup.
Wrapping Up
After rigorous research, development, and testing we have come away with a clear favorite.
Each of these effects processors deserves a glance at the top and should be considered for your next gear purchase.
However, there seems to be one clear unit that stands above the rest and that is the Lexicon PCM96.
With its classic Lexicon feel and sound, it already has a leg up. Lexicon went and took that to the next level, by creating a monster of a multi-effects processor that will not be overshadowed for many years to come.
Adding digital connectivity, MIDI capabilities, and expanding the effects pool, this unit is a wrecking crew for all other effects processors and deserves to be seated at the top.
If you are looking to add great layers to any track at your studio, there is one clear answer and it is the Lexicon PCM96.